These books are wonderful resources that work from a Christian perspective on meditation, including both historic and more contemporary usage.

Contemplative Prayer

the Good Heart

This book is a wonderful transcription of a very exciting event at which a group of Christian meditators, following in the footsteps of Abbot Thomas Keating, met with the Dalai Lama and together discussed several pivotal points in the New Testament.

While not providing much in the way of technique, this classic work by Merton makes a great case for engaging such a practice.

Christian Meditation

A student of Thomas Merton, James Finley gives a nice treatment of Christian contemplation. Lots of discussion around what meditation means and the impact it can have on your life.

Contemporary Non-sectarian Books on Meditation

The following books are useful in taking a view of meditation that is open to spirituality, but not aligned with any particular creed.

Beyond the Relaxation Response

The Heartmath Solution

Herbert Benson has done a very nice job in this book of making the basics of meditation technique very accessible, while also recognizing the outstanding potential inherent in faith.

Doc Lew Childre presents three capable techniques that help us unlatch negative or unskillful emotions. Based on awareness of the 'heart center', he buttresses his claims of therapeutic benefit with plenty of Western medical evidence.

Father Thomas Keating introduces the practice of Centering Prayer in this work. He covers the basics of 'how to' do Centering Prayer. He does a nice job of making the practice accessible to anyone who is interested in this historic mode of prayer/meditation.